The word “brief” is a common term that we come across in our everyday lives. It is used in various contexts, such as in law, writing, and communication. Brief has multiple meanings and associations, and it is essential to understand its different definitions and origins to use it accurately.
Definitions
The term brief can be defined as a concise statement or summary of information. It can also refer to a short period of time or a briefcase used to carry documents. In legal terms, a brief is a written argument presented to a court.
Origin
The word “brief” originated from the Old French word “brief,” which means “short.” It was first used in the English language in the 14th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, brief means “of short duration, concise, and to the point.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “lasting only for a short time or containing few words.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “short and to the point.”
Associations
The word brief is often associated with law and legal documents. It is also associated with writing and communication, where it is used to describe a short and concise piece of writing. In the business world, brief is used to describe a short meeting or presentation.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of brief include concise, short, summary, succinct, and pithy.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of brief include lengthy, verbose, wordy, and long-winded.
The same root words
The word brief shares its root with other words such as brevity, which means the quality of being brief, and abbreviate, which means to shorten a word or phrase.
Example Sentences
- The lawyer presented a brief to the court outlining the case.
- The meeting will be brief, lasting only 15 minutes.
- Can you give me a brief summary of the report?.
- The speaker kept his remarks brief and to the point.
- I need you to be brief in your explanation, as I have limited time.